Delay TAPE-201 by Arturia tape delay plugin interface

Delay TAPE-201: Tape Delay and Spring Reverb Plugin by Arturia Free Download

Rated 4.8/5 on Plugin Boutique (65 ratings)

Delay TAPE-201 is a tape delay and spring reverb effect plugin by Arturia, modeled on the classic 1970s tape echo unit. It offers multiple delay modes, tempo sync, stereo tools and an integrated EQ.

VST2AUAAXStandaloneWindowsmacOS64-bit

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Free trial available from the developer

01Overview

Delay TAPE-201 is built around a software recreation of a tape echo design that became a staple in studios and on stages during the 1970s. Arturia uses its TAE and Phi modeling technologies to reproduce the circuitry and tape behavior, including the pitch wobble that made the original distinctive. Beyond the vintage tone, the plugin adds modern controls such as LFO modulation, stereo warping and random-groove processing. The developer says the goal is an authentic tape delay that remains reliable and flexible inside a DAW.

Best for

Tape-style echo on guitars
Spacious vocal delays
Ambient reverb textures
Pitch-warped delay effects
Dub-style delay throws
Mid/side mix processing

Developer: Arturia
Category: Delays
Store: Plugin Boutique

02Key features

What you get

Virtual recreation of the classic tape echo
Three delay tape heads plus a spring reverb tank
Twelve combinations of heads and reverb
Left/Right, Ping Pong and Mid/Side delay types
Independent stereo repeat rates
Tempo sync to the host DAW
Stereo tools for controlling spatial width
Input EQ with lowpass, highpass and peak filters
Additional LFO with 16 destinations
Advanced parameters for flutter, motor inertia and noise

03In depth

Tape Character and Delay Modes

Delay TAPE-201 features three delay tape heads and a spring reverb tank, and the heads and reverb can be combined in 12 different ways. You can choose between Left/Right, Ping Pong and Mid/Side delay types, and process in stereo with independent repeat rates for each side.

An adjustable tape speed control lets you produce pitch changes in the delay, a signature quirk of the original hardware. Advanced modeling parameters for flutter, motor inertia and background noise let you push the sound closer to specific hardware behavior.

The input equalizer offers lowpass, highpass and peak filters to shape the signal before it reaches the delay, and the integrated EQ can cut or boost the repeats.

Sync, Modulation and Stereo Tools

Repeat rates can be synced to the host tempo or left to run freely. A stereo tools section controls spatial width, and an additional LFO can target 16 different destinations, letting you modulate any parameter in the plugin.

New modulation controls are included in this version. Arturia's demos show the LFO altering the reverb amount and controlling the stereo effect, and random-groove settings can generate re-ordered delay patterns.

The developer also describes the Welcome to the Machine controls as a way to add aged mechanical and tape effects by pushing the settings further.

04Specs

Will it run?

Formats, systems and requirements as listed by Plugin Boutique. Missing details are left out, not guessed.

Developer	Arturia
Type	Plugin
Category	Delay
Formats	VST2, AU, AAX, Standalone
Operating systems	Windows, macOS
Architecture	64-bit
Free trial	Yes

05FAQ

Questions, answered

Which formats does Delay TAPE-201 support?

Delay TAPE-201 is available in VST2, AU, AAX and Standalone formats. It runs on Windows and macOS.

What do I need to run Delay TAPE-201?

It works in Standalone, VST, AAX, Audio Unit and NKS, with NKS supported in 64-bit DAWs only. On Mac, you need macOS 10.13 or later, 4 GB RAM, a 4-core CPU at 3.4 GHz (4.0 GHz Turbo Boost) or an Apple Silicon CPU, 1 GB of free disk space and an OpenGL 2.0 compatible GPU. On Windows, you need Windows 10 or later (64-bit), 4 GB RAM, a 4-core CPU at 3.4 GHz (4.0 GHz Turbo Boost), 1 GB of free disk space and an OpenGL 2.0 compatible GPU.